Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski missing first 6 games is 'likeliest' course of action

Boston Globe writer Ben Volin knows that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski might be healthy by Week 1 or shortly thereafter. But he wrote Sunday that "the likeliest and most prudent course of action appears to be keeping him on [Physically Unable to Perform list] to start the season and having him miss the first six games."
Gronkowski is recovering from June back surgery to repair a herniated disc, and he has also undergone four surgeries on his left forearm in the past nine months.

Fantasy Analysis:

My biggest concern with Gronk isn't that he will miss six games; I have kind of arrived at that conclusion already. I fear that he won't be the Rob Gronkowski we know for weeks after that, maybe not until after the season. Back surgeries are extremely delicate, and players have talked about not feeling right for a full year after the operation. Gronk is going in the fourth or fifth round of most mocks. Fine by me; I'd much rather focus on running backs or wide receivers there anyway.